Vacuum adiabatic body and refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; a second plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a second space having a different temperature from the first space; a sealing part sealing the first plate member and the second plate member to provide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature of the first space and the temperature of the second space and is in a vacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heat resistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the first plate member and the second plate member; an exhaust port through which a gas in the third space is exhausted; a side frame provided at an edge portion of the third space, the side frame having at least one portion defining a wall for the third space; and a peripheral frame fixed to the side frame to have a part mounted thereto. Accordingly, each part of the vacuum adiabatic body can be mounted without any interference, and an adiabatic effect can be improved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2016/008519, filed Aug. 2, 2016, whichclaims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0109724, filedAug. 3, 2015, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated byreference.

U.S. application Ser. Nos. 15/749,132; 15/749,139; 15/749,136;15/749,143; 15/749,146; 15/749,156; 15/749,162; 15/749140; 15/749,142;15/719,147; 15/749,149; 15/749,179; 15/749,154; 15/749,161, all filed onJan. 31, 2018, are related and are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat features disclosed in these above-noted applications may becombined in any combination with features disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum adiabatic body and arefrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum adiabatic body and arefrigerator.

A vacuum adiabatic body is a product for suppressing heat transfer byvacuumizing the interior of a body thereof. The vacuum adiabatic bodycan reduce heat transfer by convection and conduction, and hence isapplied to heating apparatuses and refrigerating apparatuses. In atypical adiabatic method applied to a refrigerator, although it isdifferently applied in refrigeration and freezing, a foam urethaneadiabatic wall having a thickness of about 30 cm or more is generallyprovided. However, the internal volume of the refrigerator is thereforereduced.

In order to increase the internal volume of a refrigerator, there is anattempt to apply a vacuum adiabatic body to the refrigerator.

First, Korean Patent No. 10-0343719 (Reference Document 1) of thepresent applicant has been disclosed. According to Reference Document 1,there is disclosed a method in which a vacuum adiabatic panel isprepared and then built in walls of a refrigerator, and the exterior ofthe vacuum adiabatic panel is finished with a separate molding asStyrofoam (polystyrene). According to the method, additional foaming isnot required, and the adiabatic performance of the refrigerator isimproved. However, manufacturing cost is increased, and a manufacturingmethod is complicated. As another example, a technique of providingwalls using a vacuum adiabatic material and additionally providingadiabatic walls using a foam filling material has been disclosed inKorean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0012712 (Reference Document 2).According to Reference Document 2, manufacturing cost is increased, anda manufacturing method is complicated.

As another example, there is an attempt to manufacture all walls of arefrigerator using a vacuum adiabatic body that is a single product. Forexample, a technique of providing an adiabatic structure of arefrigerator to be in a vacuum state has been disclosed in U.S. PatentLaid-Open Publication No. US 2014/0226956 A1 (Reference Document 3).

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, it is difficult to obtain an adiabatic effect of a practicallevel by providing the walls of the refrigerator to be in a sufficientvacuum state. Specifically, it is difficult to prevent heat transfer ata contact portion between external and internal cases having differenttemperatures. Further, it is difficult to maintain a stable vacuumstate. Furthermore, it is difficult to prevent deformation of the casesdue to a sound pressure in the vacuum state. Due to these problems, thetechnique of Reference Document 3 is limited to cryogenic refrigeratingapparatuses, and is not applied to refrigerating apparatuses used ingeneral households.

Solution to Problem

Embodiments provide a vacuum adiabatic body and a refrigerator, whichcan obtain a sufficient adiabatic effect in a vacuum state and beapplied commercially.

In one embodiment, a vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first platemember defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; asecond plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a secondspace having a different temperature from the first space; a sealingpart sealing the first plate member and the second plate member toprovide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heatresistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the firstplate member and the second plate member; an exhaust port through whicha gas in the third space is exhausted; a side frame provided at an edgeportion of the third space, the side frame having at least one portiondefining a wall for the third space; and a peripheral frame fixed to theside frame to have a part mounted thereto.

A boss may be provided to the side frame, and a hole aligned with theboss may be provided in the peripheral frame, so that the side frame andthe peripheral frame are fastened to each other.

A gap part having a gasket fixed thereinto may be provided between theside frame and the peripheral frame. The heat resistance unit mayinclude at least one conductive resistance sheet that is thinner thaneach of the first and second plate members and has at least one portionprovided as a curved surface, to reduce conduction heat flowing alongthe wall for the third space. The gasket may be provided to cover theconductive resistance sheet.

At least one port may be provided to the side frame. An accommodatingpart for accommodating at least one portion of a protruding portion ofthe port may be provided in the peripheral frame.

A hinge mounting part having a hinge shaft fixed thereinto may beprovided to the peripheral frame. The vacuum adiabatic body may include:a rib provided to the supporting unit; and a mounting end part providedto each of the first and second plate members, the mounting end partcontacting the rib.

A vacuum space part may extend up to an edge portion of the vacuumadiabatic body. A gap of the vacuum space part, provided by the sideframe, may be narrower than that of the vacuum space part provided ineach of the first and second plate members.

In another embodiment, a vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first platemember defining at least one portion of a wall for a first space; asecond plate member defining at least one portion of a wall for a secondspace having a different temperature from the first space; a sealingpart sealing the first plate member and the second plate member toprovide a third space that has a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the third space; a heatresistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between the firstplate member and the second plate member; an exhaust port through whicha gas in the third space is exhausted; and a peripheral frame made of aresin material, the peripheral frame being mounted in the shape of aclosed curve at an outer circumferential portion of the third space suchthat at least one part is mounted thereto, wherein, in heat transferbetween the first and second plate members, solid conduction heat isgreater than radiation transfer heat, and gas conduction heat issmallest.

The heat resistance unit may include a conductive resistance sheet toresist heat conduction flowing along a wall for the third space, and theconductive resistance sheet may provide, together with each of the firstand second plate members, an outer wall of at least one portion of afirst vacuum space part. The heat resistance unit may include at leastone radiation resistance sheet provided in a plate shape inside thethird space or may include a porous material to resist radiation heattransfer between the second plate member and the first plate memberinside the third space.

A vacuum degree (or pressure) of the vacuum space part may be equal toor greater than 1.8×10⁻⁶ Torr and equal to or smaller than 2.65×10⁻¹Torr.

The sealing part may include a welding part. The supporting unit mayinclude a bar supporting the first plate member and the second platemember or may include a porous material

In still another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main bodyprovided with an internal space in which storage goods are stored; and adoor provided to open/close the main body from an external space,wherein, in order to supply a refrigerant into the internal space, therefrigerator includes: a compressor for compressing the refrigerant; acondenser for condensing the compressed refrigerant; an expander forexpanding the condensed refrigerant; and an evaporator for evaporatingthe expanded refrigerant to take heat, wherein at least one of the mainbody and the door includes a vacuum adiabatic body, wherein the vacuumadiabatic body includes: a first plate member defining at least oneportion of a wall for the internal space; a second plate member definingat least one portion of a wall for the external space; a sealing partsealing the first plate member and the second plate member to provide avacuum space part that has a temperature between a temperature of theinternal space and a temperature of the external space and is in avacuum state; a supporting unit maintaining the vacuum space part; aheat resistance unit for decreasing a heat transfer amount between thefirst plate member and the second plate member; an exhaust port throughwhich a gas in the vacuum space part is exhausted; and a peripheralframe made of a resin material, the peripheral frame being mounted inthe shape of a closed curve at an outer circumferential portion of thevacuum space part such that at least one part is mounted thereto.

A hinge mounting part having a hinge shaft fixed thereinto may beprovided to the peripheral frame. The refrigerator may include a sideframe made of a metallic material, the side frame being fastened to theperipheral frame, the side frame providing an outer wall for the vacuumspace part. At least one port may be provided to the side frame. Anaccommodating part for accommodating at least one portion of aprotruding portion of the port may be provided in the peripheral frame.

The heat resistance unit may include at least one conductive resistancesheet that is thinner than each of the first and second plate membersand has at least one portion provided as a curved surface, to reduceconduction heat flowing along the wall for the vacuum space part. Agasket fixed to the main body may be provided to cover the conductiveresistance sheet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain asufficient vacuum adiabatic effect. Further, a plurality of parts can bemounted by the peripheral frame, so that it is possible to improve thestability of a product and to avoid interference between parts.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a vacuum adiabatic body used in amain body and a door of the refrigerator.

FIG. 3 is a view showing various embodiments of an internalconfiguration of a vacuum space part.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various embodiments of conductive resistancesheets and peripheral parts thereof.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating in detail a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an alignment relationship between a sideframe and a peripheral frame.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a state in which a hinge is insertedinto the door.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which a first plate member and asupporting unit are fastened to each other.

FIG. 11 illustrates graphs showing changes in adiabatic performance andchanges in gas conductivity with respect to vacuum pressures by applyinga simulation.

FIG. 12 illustrates graphs obtained by observing, over time andpressure, a process of exhausting the interior of the vacuum adiabaticbody when a supporting unit is used.

FIG. 13 illustrates graphs obtained by comparing vacuum pressures andgas conductivities.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a case where a vacuumadiabatic body is applied to a door-in-door refrigerator according to anembodiment, in which FIG. 15a illustrates a case where typical foamingurethane is applied and FIG. 15b illustrates a case where the vacuumadiabatic body is applied.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferredembodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the disclosure, and it is understood that other embodiments maybe utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, andchemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilledin the art to practice the disclosure, the description may omit certaininformation known to those skilled in the art. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

In the following description, the term ‘vacuum pressure’ means a certainpressure state lower than atmospheric pressure. In addition, theexpression that a vacuum degree of A is higher than that of B means thata vacuum pressure of A is lower than that of B.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2 providedwith a cavity 9 capable of storing storage goods and a door 3 providedto open/close the main body 2. The door 3 may be rotatably or movablydisposed to open/close the cavity 9. The cavity 9 may provide at leastone of a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber.

Parts constituting a freezing cycle may include those in which cold airis supplied into the cavity 9. Specifically, the parts include acompressor 4 for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser 5 for condensingthe compressed refrigerant, an expander 6 for expanding the condensedrefrigerant, and an evaporator 7 for evaporating the expandedrefrigerant to take heat. As a typical structure, a fan may be installedat a position adjacent to the evaporator 7, and a fluid blown from thefan may pass through the evaporator 7 and then be blown into the cavity9. A freezing load is controlled by adjusting the blowing amount andblowing direction by the fan, adjusting the amount of a circulatedrefrigerant, or adjusting the compression rate of the compressor, sothat it is possible to control a refrigerating space or a freezingspace.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing a vacuum adiabatic body used inthe main body and the door of the refrigerator. In FIG. 2, a mainbody-side vacuum adiabatic body is illustrated in a state in which topand side walls are removed, and a door-side vacuum adiabatic body isillustrated in a state in which a portion of a front wall is removed. Inaddition, sections of portions at conductive resistance sheets areprovided are schematically illustrated for convenience of understanding.

Referring to FIG. 2, the vacuum adiabatic body includes a first platemember (or first plate) 10 for providing a wall of a low-temperaturespace, a second plate member (or second plate) 20 for providing a wallof a high-temperature space, and a vacuum space part (or vacuum space orcavity) 50 defined as a gap part (or gap or space) between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20. Also, the vacuum adiabatic body includesthe conductive resistance sheets 60 and 63 for preventing heatconduction between the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Asealing part (or seal or sealing joint) 61 for sealing the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20 is provided such that the vacuum spacepart 50 is in a sealing state. When the vacuum adiabatic body is appliedto a refrigerating or heating cabinet, the first plate member 10 may bereferred to as an inner case, and the second plate member 20 may bereferred to as an outer case. A machine chamber 8 in which partsproviding a freezing cycle are accommodated is placed at a lower rearside of the main body-side vacuum adiabatic body, and an exhaust port 40for forming a vacuum state by exhausting air in the vacuum space part 50is provided at any one side of the vacuum adiabatic body. In addition, apipeline 64 passing through the vacuum space part 50 may be furtherinstalled so as to install a defrosting water line and electric lines.

The first plate member 10 may define at least one portion of a wall fora first space provided thereto. The second plate member 20 may define atleast one portion of a wall for a second space provided thereto. Thefirst space and the second space may be defined as spaces havingdifferent temperatures. Here, the wall for each space may serve as notonly a wall directly contacting the space but also a wall not contactingthe space. For example, the vacuum adiabatic body of the embodiment mayalso be applied to a product further having a separate wall contactingeach space.

Factors of heat transfer, which cause loss of the adiabatic effect ofthe vacuum adiabatic body, are heat conduction between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20, heat radiation between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20, and gas conduction of the vacuum spacepart 50.

Hereinafter, a heat resistance unit provided to reduce adiabatic lossrelated to the factors of the heat transfer will be provided. The heatresistance unit may also be referred to as a thermal insulator, or thelike, that provides one or more structural means configured to providethermal insulation. Meanwhile, the vacuum adiabatic body and therefrigerator of the embodiment do not exclude that another adiabaticmeans is further provided to at least one side of the vacuum adiabaticbody. Therefore, an adiabatic means using foaming or the like may befurther provided to another side of the vacuum adiabatic body.

FIG. 3 is a view showing various embodiments of an internalconfiguration of the vacuum space part.

First, referring to FIG. 3a , the vacuum space part 50 is provided in athird space having a different pressure from the first and secondspaces, preferably, a vacuum state, thereby reducing adiabatic loss. Thethird space may be provided at a temperature between the temperature ofthe first space and the temperature of the second space. Since the thirdspace is provided as a space in the vacuum state, the first and secondplate members 10 and 20 receive a force contracting in a direction inwhich they approach each other due to a force corresponding to apressure difference between the first and second spaces. Therefore, thevacuum space part 50 may be deformed in a direction in which it isreduced. In this case, adiabatic loss may be caused due to an increasein amount of heat radiation, caused by the contraction of the vacuumspace part 50, and an increase in amount of heat conduction, caused bycontact between the plate members 10 and 20.

A supporting unit (or support) 30 may be provided to reduce thedeformation of the vacuum space part 50. The supporting unit 30 includesbars 31. The bars 31 may extend in a direction substantially vertical tothe first and second plate members 10 and 20 so as to support a distancebetween the first and second plate members 10 and 20. A support plate 35may be additionally provided to at least one end of the bar 31. Thesupport plate 35 connects at least two bars 31 to each other, and mayextend in a direction horizontal to the first and second plate members10 and 20. The support plate 35 may be provided in a plate shape, or maybe provided in a lattice shape such that its area contacting the firstor second plate member 10 or 20 is decreased, thereby reducing heattransfer. The bars 31 and the support plate 35 are fixed to each otherat at least one portion, to be inserted together between the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20. The support plate 35 contacts at leastone of the first and second plate members 10 and 20, thereby preventingdeformation of the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Inaddition, based on the extending direction of the bars 31, a totalsectional area of the support plate 35 is provided to be greater thanthat of the bars 31, so that heat transferred through the bars 31 can bediffused through the support plate 35.

A material of the supporting unit 30 may include a resin selected fromthe group consisting of PC, glass fiber PC, low outgassing PC, PPS, andLCP so as to obtain high compressive strength, low outgassing and waterabsorptance, low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength at hightemperature, and excellent machinability.

A radiation resistance sheet 32 for reducing heat radiation between thefirst and second plate members 10 and 20 through the vacuum space part50 will be described. The first and second plate members 10 and 20 maybe made of a stainless material capable of preventing corrosion andproviding a sufficient strength. The stainless material has a relativelyhigh emissivity of 0.16, and hence a large amount of radiation heat maybe transferred. In addition, the supporting unit 30 made of the resinhas a lower emissivity than the plate members, and is not entirelyprovided to inner surfaces of the first and second plate members 10 and20. Hence, the supporting unit 30 does not have great influence onradiation heat. Therefore, the radiation resistance sheet 32 may beprovided in a plate shape over a majority of the area of the vacuumspace part 50 so as to concentrate on reduction of radiation heattransferred between the first and second plate members 10 and 20. Aproduct having a low emissivity may be preferably used as the materialof the radiation resistance sheet 32. In an embodiment, an aluminum foilhaving an emissivity of 0.02 may be used as the radiation resistancesheet 32. Since the transfer of radiation heat cannot be sufficientlyblocked using one radiation resistance sheet, at least two radiationresistance sheets 32 may be provided at a certain distance so as not tocontact each other. In addition, at least one radiation resistance sheetmay be provided in a state in which it contacts the inner surface of thefirst or second plate member 10 or 20.

Referring to FIG. 3b , the distance between the plate members ismaintained by the supporting unit 30, and a porous material 33 may befilled in the vacuum space part 50. The porous material 33 may have ahigher emissivity than the stainless material of the first and secondplate members 10 and 20. However, since the porous material 33 is filledin the vacuum space part 50, the porous material 33 has a highefficiency for resisting the radiation heat transfer.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body can be manufacturedwithout using the radiation resistance sheet 32.

Referring to FIG. 3c , the supporting unit 30 maintaining the vacuumspace part 50 is not provided. Instead of the supporting unit 30, theporous material 33 is provided in a state in which it is surrounded by afilm 34. In this case, the porous material 33 may be provided in a statein which it is compressed so as to maintain the gap of the vacuum spacepart 50. The film 34 is made of, for example, a PE material, and may beprovided in a state in which holes are formed therein.

In this embodiment, the vacuum adiabatic body can be manufacturedwithout using the supporting unit 30. In other words, the porousmaterial 33 can serve together as the radiation resistance sheet 32 andthe supporting unit 30.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various embodiments of the conductiveresistance sheets and peripheral parts thereof. Structures of theconductive resistance sheets are briefly illustrated in FIG. 2, but willbe understood in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

First, a conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4a may bepreferably applied to the main body-side vacuum adiabatic body.Specifically, the first and second plate members 10 and 20 are to besealed so as to vacuumize the interior of the vacuum adiabatic body. Inthis case, since the two plate members have different temperatures fromeach other, heat transfer may occur between the two plate members. Aconductive resistance sheet 60 is provided to prevent heat conductionbetween two different kinds of plate members.

The conductive resistance sheet 60 may be provided with sealing parts 61at which both ends of the conductive resistance sheet 60 are sealed todefine at least one portion of the wall for the third space and maintainthe vacuum state. The conductive resistance sheet 60 may be provided asa thin foil in units of micrometers so as to reduce the amount of heatconducted along the wall for the third space. The sealing parts 61 maybe provided as welding parts. That is, the conductive resistance sheet60 and the plate members 10 and 20 may be fused to each other.

In order to cause a fusing action between the conductive resistancesheet 60 and the plate members 10 and 20, the conductive resistancesheet 60 and the plate members 10 and 20 may be made of the samematerial, and a stainless material may be used as the material. Thesealing parts 61 are not limited to the welding parts, and may beprovided through a process such as cocking. The conductive resistancesheet 60 may be provided in a curved shape. Thus, a heat conductiondistance of the conductive resistance sheet 60 is provided longer thanthe linear distance of each plate member, so that the amount of heatconduction can be further reduced.

A change in temperature occurs along the conductive resistance sheet 60.Therefore, in order to block heat transfer to the exterior of theconductive resistance sheet 60, a shielding part (or shield) 62 may beprovided at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60 such thatan adiabatic action occurs. In other words, in the refrigerator, thesecond plate member 20 has a high temperature and the first plate member10 has a low temperature. In addition, heat conduction from hightemperature to low temperature occurs in the conductive resistance sheet60, and hence the temperature of the conductive resistance sheet 60 issuddenly changed. Therefore, when the conductive resistance sheet 60 isopened to the exterior thereof, heat transfer through the opened placemay seriously occur.

In order to reduce heat loss, the shielding part 62 is provided at theexterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60. For example, when theconductive resistance sheet 60 is exposed to any one of thelow-temperature space and the high-temperature space, the conductiveresistance sheet 60 does not serve as a conductive resistor as well asthe exposed portion thereof, which is not preferable.

The shielding part 62 may be provided as a porous material contacting anouter surface of the conductive resistance sheet 60. The shielding part62 may be provided as an adiabatic structure, e.g., a separate gasket,which is placed at the exterior of the conductive resistance sheet 60.The shielding part 62 may be provided as a portion of the vacuumadiabatic body, which is provided at a position facing a correspondingconductive resistance sheet 60 when the main body-side vacuum adiabaticbody is closed with respect to the door-side vacuum adiabatic body. Inorder to reduce heat loss even when the main body and the door areopened, the shielding part 62 may be preferably provided as a porousmaterial or a separate adiabatic structure.

A conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4b may be preferablyapplied to the door-side vacuum adiabatic body. In FIG. 4b , portionsdifferent from those of FIG. 4a are described in detail, and the samedescription is applied to portions identical to those of FIG. 4a . Aside frame 70 is further provided at an outside of the conductiveresistance sheet 60. A part for sealing between the door and the mainbody, an exhaust port necessary for an exhaust process, a getter portfor vacuum maintenance, and the like may be placed on the side frame 70.This is because the mounting of parts is convenient in the mainbody-side vacuum adiabatic body, but the mounting positions of parts arelimited in the door-side vacuum adiabatic body.

In the door-side vacuum adiabatic body, it is difficult to place theconductive resistance sheet 60 at a front end portion of the vacuumspace part, i.e., a corner side portion of the vacuum space part. Thisis because, unlike the main body, a corner edge portion of the door isexposed to the exterior. More specifically, if the conductive resistancesheet 60 is placed at the front end portion of the vacuum space part,the corner edge portion of the door is exposed to the exterior, andhence there is a disadvantage in that a separate adiabatic part shouldbe configured so as to heat-insulate the conductive resistance sheet 60.

A conductive resistance sheet proposed in FIG. 4c may be preferablyinstalled in the pipeline passing through the vacuum space part. In FIG.4c , portions different from those of FIGS. 4a and 4b are described indetail, and the same description is applied to portions identical tothose of FIGS. 4a and 4b . A conductive resistance sheet having the sameshape as that of FIG. 4a , preferably, a wrinkled conductive resistancesheet (or folded conductive resistance sheet) 63 may be provided at aperipheral portion of the pipeline 64. Accordingly, a heat transfer pathcan be lengthened, and deformation caused by a pressure difference canbe prevented. In addition, a separate shielding part may be provided toimprove the adiabatic performance of the conductive resistance sheet.

A heat transfer path between the first and second plate members 10 and20 will be described with reference back to FIG. 4a . Heat passingthrough the vacuum adiabatic body may be divided into surface conductionheat {circle around (1)} conducted along a surface of the vacuumadiabatic body, more specifically, the conductive resistance sheet 60,supporter conduction heat {circle around (2)} conducted along thesupporting unit 30 provided inside the vacuum adiabatic body, gasconduction heat (or convection) {circle around (3)} conducted through aninternal gas in the vacuum space part, and radiation transfer heat{circle around (4)} transferred through the vacuum space part.

The transfer heat may be changed depending on various design dimensions.For example, the supporting unit may be changed such that the first andsecond plate members 10 and 20 can endure a vacuum pressure withoutbeing deformed, the vacuum pressure may be changed, the distance betweenthe plate members may be changed, and the length of the conductiveresistance sheet may be changed. The transfer heat may be changeddepending on a difference in temperature between the spaces (the firstand second spaces) respectively provided by the plate members. In theembodiment, a preferred configuration of the vacuum adiabatic body hasbeen found by considering that its total heat transfer amount is smallerthan that of a typical adiabatic structure formed by foamingpolyurethane. In a typical refrigerator including the adiabaticstructure formed by foaming the polyurethane, an effective heat transfercoefficient may be proposed as 19.6 mW/mK.

By performing a relative analysis on heat transfer amounts of the vacuumadiabatic body of the embodiment, a heat transfer amount by the gasconduction heat {circle around (3)} can become smallest. For example,the heat transfer amount by the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}may be controlled to be equal to or smaller than 4% of the total heattransfer amount. A heat transfer amount by solid conduction heat definedas a sum of the surface conduction heat {circle around (1)} and thesupporter conduction heat {circle around (2)} is largest. For example,the heat transfer amount by the solid conduction heat may reach 75% ofthe total heat transfer amount. A heat transfer amount by the radiationtransfer heat {circle around (4)} is smaller than the heat transferamount by the solid conduction heat but larger than the heat transferamount of the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}. For example, theheat transfer amount by the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)}may occupy about 20% of the total heat transfer amount.

According to such a heat transfer distribution, effective heat transfercoefficients (eK: effective K) (W/mK) of the surface conduction heat{circle around (1)}, the supporter conduction heat {circle around (2)},the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)}, and the radiation transferheat {circle around (4)} may have an order of Equation 1.eK_(solid conduction heat)>eK_(radiation transfer heat)>eK_(gas conduction heat)

Here, the effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value that canbe measured using a shape and temperature differences of a targetproduct. The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) is a value thatcan be obtained by measuring a total heat transfer amount and atemperature at least one portion at which heat is transferred. Forexample, a calorific value (W) is measured using a heating source thatcan be quantitatively measured in the refrigerator, a temperaturedistribution (K) of the door is measured using heat respectivelytransferred through a main body and an edge of the door of therefrigerator, and a path through which heat is transferred is calculatedas a conversion value (m), thereby evaluating an effective heat transfercoefficient.

The effective heat transfer coefficient (eK) of the entire vacuumadiabatic body is a value given by k=QL/AΔT. Here, Q denotes a calorificvalue (W) and may be obtained using a calorific value of a heater. Adenotes a sectional area (m²) of the vacuum adiabatic body, L denotes athickness (m) of the vacuum adiabatic body, and ΔT denotes a temperaturedifference.

For the surface conduction heat, a conductive calorific value may beobtained through a temperature difference (ΔT) between an entrance andan exit of the conductive resistance sheet 60 or 63, a sectional area(A) of the conductive resistance sheet, a length (L) of the conductiveresistance sheet, and a thermal conductivity (k) of the conductiveresistance sheet (the thermal conductivity of the conductive resistancesheet is a material property of a material and can be obtained inadvance). For the supporter conduction heat, a conductive calorificvalue may be obtained through a temperature difference (ΔT) between anentrance and an exit of the supporting unit 30, a sectional area (A) ofthe supporting unit, a length (L) of the supporting unit, and a thermalconductivity (k) of the supporting unit. Here, the thermal conductivityof the supporting unit is a material property of a material and can beobtained in advance. The sum of the gas conduction heat {circle around(3)}, and the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)} may beobtained by subtracting the surface conduction heat and the supporterconduction heat from the heat transfer amount of the entire vacuumadiabatic body. A ratio of the gas conduction heat {circle around (3)},and the radiation transfer heat {circle around (4)} may be obtained byevaluating radiation transfer heat when no gas conduction heat exists byremarkably lowering a vacuum degree of the vacuum space part 50.

When a porous material is provided inside the vacuum space part 50,porous material conduction heat {circle around (5)} may be a sum of thesupporter conduction heat {circle around (2)} and the radiation transferheat {circle around (4)}. The porous material conduction heat {circlearound (5)} may be changed depending on various variables including akind, an amount, and the like of the porous material.

According to an embodiment, a temperature difference ΔT₁ between ageometric center formed by adjacent bars 31 and a point at which each ofthe bars 31 is located may be preferably provided to be less than 0.5°C. Also, a temperature difference ΔT₂ between the geometric centerformed by the adjacent bars 31 and an edge portion of the vacuumadiabatic body may be preferably provided to be less than 0.5° C. In thesecond plate member 20, a temperature difference between an averagetemperature of the second plate and a temperature at a point at which aheat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet 60 or63 meets the second plate may be largest.

For example, when the second space is a region hotter than the firstspace, the temperature at the point at which the heat transfer pathpassing through the conductive resistance sheet meets the second platemember becomes lowest. Similarly, when the second space is a regioncolder than the first space, the temperature at the point at which theheat transfer path passing through the conductive resistance sheet meetsthe second plate member becomes highest.

This means that the amount of heat transferred through other pointsexcept the surface conduction heat passing through the conductiveresistance sheet should be controlled, and the entire heat transferamount satisfying the vacuum adiabatic body can be achieved only whenthe surface conduction heat occupies the largest heat transfer amount.To this end, a temperature variation of the conductive resistance sheetmay be controlled to be larger than that of the plate member.

Physical characteristics of the parts constituting the vacuum adiabaticbody will be described. In the vacuum adiabatic body, a force by vacuumpressure is applied to all of the parts. Therefore, a material having astrength (N/m²) of a certain level may be preferably used.

Under such circumferences, the plate members 10 and 20 and the sideframe 70 may be preferably made of a material having a sufficientstrength with which they are not damaged by even vacuum pressure. Forexample, when the number of bars 31 is decreased so as to limit thesupport conduction heat, deformation of the plate member occurs due tothe vacuum pressure, which may be a bad influence on the externalappearance of refrigerator. The radiation resistance sheet 32 may bepreferably made of a material that has a low emissivity and can beeasily subjected to thin film processing. Also, the radiation resistancesheet 32 is to ensure a strength high enough not to be deformed by anexternal impact. The supporting unit 30 is provided with a strength highenough to support the force by the vacuum pressure and endure anexternal impact, and is to have machinability. The conductive resistancesheet 60 may be preferably made of a material that has a thin plateshape and can endure the vacuum pressure.

In an embodiment, the plate member, the side frame, and the conductiveresistance sheet may be made of stainless materials having the samestrength. The radiation resistance sheet may be made of aluminum havinga weaker strength that the stainless materials. The supporting unit maybe made of resin having a weaker strength than the aluminum.

Unlike the strength from the point of view of materials, analysis fromthe point of view of stiffness is required. The stiffness (N/m) is aproperty that would not be easily deformed. Although the same materialis used, its stiffness may be changed depending on its shape. Theconductive resistance sheets 60 or 63 may be made of a material having aprescribed strength, but the stiffness of the material is preferably lowso as to increase heat resistance and minimize radiation heat as theconductive resistance sheet is uniformly spread without any roughnesswhen the vacuum pressure is applied. The radiation resistance sheet 32requires a stiffness of a certain level so as not to contact anotherpart due to deformation. Particularly, an edge portion of the radiationresistance sheet may generate conduction heat due to drooping caused bythe self-load of the radiation resistance sheet. Therefore, a stiffnessof a certain level is required. The supporting unit 30 requires astiffness high enough to endure a compressive stress from the platemember and an external impact.

In an embodiment, the plate member and the side frame may preferablyhave the highest stiffness so as to prevent deformation caused by thevacuum pressure. The supporting unit, particularly, the bar maypreferably have the second highest stiffness. The radiation resistancesheet may preferably have a stiffness that is lower than that of thesupporting unit but higher than that of the conductive resistance sheet.The conductive resistance sheet may be preferably made of a materialthat is easily deformed by the vacuum pressure and has the loweststiffness.

Even when the porous material 33 is filled in the vacuum space part 50,the conductive resistance sheet may preferably have the loweststiffness, and the plate member and the side frame may preferably havethe highest stiffness.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating in detail a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to an embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a view of a distal end regionof the vacuum space and the peripheral adiabatic part 90. The embodimentproposed in FIG. 5 may be preferably applied to the door-side vacuumadiabatic body, and the description of the vacuum adiabatic body shownin FIG. 4b among the vacuum adiabatic bodies shown in FIG. 4 may beapplied to portions to which specific descriptions are not provided.

Referring to FIG. 5, the vacuum adiabatic body may include a first platemember 10, a second plate member 20, a conductive resistance sheet 60,and a side frame 70, which are parts that enable a vacuum space part 50to be separated from an external atmospheric space.

The side frame 70 is formed in a bent shape, and may be provided suchthat the height of the side frame 70 is lowered at an outer portion,i.e., an edge portion or distal end portion when viewed from the entireshape of the vacuum adiabatic body is lowered. According to theabove-described shape, a predetermined space is ensured without anyvolume loss at an outside of the portion at which the height of the sideframe 70 is low, so that a peripheral frame 90 can be placed at theoutside. Hinges 85 and 86 (see FIG. 6) and an addition such as a doorswitch or a latch may be mounted to the peripheral frame 90.

One end of the side frame 70 is fastened to the conductive resistancesheet 60 by a sealing part 61, and the other end of the side frame 70 isfastened to the second plate member 20 at an edge portion of the vacuumadiabatic body. According to the above-described configuration, thevacuum space part 50 extends up to the edge portion of the vacuumadiabatic body, so that the adiabatic effect of the vacuum adiabaticbody can be entirely improved. Further, although dew may be formed bycold air transferred along the side frame 70, this is not visible to auser, and deformation of the second plate member 20, which occurs inwelding of the side frame, is not visible to the user, so that a senseof beauty and aesthetics is improved.

A supporting unit 30 is provided inside the vacuum space part 50, tomaintain a gap of the vacuum space part 50. Also, a radiation resistancesheet 32 is provided inside the vacuum space part 50, to obtain anadiabatic effect against radiation heat transfer through the inside ofthe vacuum space part 50.

Gap parts (or gap or space) 75 may be provided at a predetermined gapbetween the peripheral frame 90 and both side portions of the side frame70. One portion of a gasket 80 is inserted into the gap part 75 suchthat the position of the gasket 80 can be fixed. The one portion of thegasket 80 may be firmly fixed in a forcible insertion manner. The gasket80 at least covers the conductive resistance sheet 60, so that it ispossible to reduce adiabatic loss caused through an outer surface of theconductive resistance sheet 60. The gasket 80 is inserted into even theend of the gap part 75, so that it is possible to prevent adiabaticperformance from being degraded through the gap part 75.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first plate member 10, the second plate member20, and the side frame 70 are provided, thereby providing their internalspace as the vacuum space part 50. The conductive resistance sheet 60 isprovided at a contact portion between the side frame 70 and the firstplate member 10, to shield heat conduction between the side frame 70 andthe first plate member 10.

The peripheral frame 90 is mounted to the side frame 70. As alreadydescribed above, the predetermined gap parts 75 are interposed betweenthe peripheral frame 90 and the side frame 70, so that the position ofthe gasket 80 can be fixed by inserting the one portion of the gasket 80into the gap part 75. To this end, the peripheral frame 90 may beprovided in the shape of a closed curve surrounding the side frame 70.

An exhaust port 40 and a getter port 41 (see FIG. 7) may be provided atpredetermined positions of the side frame 70. Since the exhaust port 40and the getter port 41 are protruding structures, the exhaust port 40and the getter port 41 may interfere with other parts therearound. Inthis case, at least one portion of the peripheral frame 90 is providedas high as a height of the ports 40 and 41, thereby avoiding theinterference with other parts.

The side frame 70 may be provided with bosses 71. The bosses 71 may befastened to the side frame 70 through welding or the like. Deformationoccurring as the bosses 71 are fastened to the side frame 70 is coveredby the peripheral frame 90, not to be exposed to the exterior.

The peripheral frame 90 may be made of a material such as resin. Theperipheral frame 90 may be provided with a hinge mounting part mountedto the side frame 70, the hinge mounting part having hinges mountedthereto, so that an upper hinge 85 and a lower hinge 86 can be mountedto the hinge mounting part. The hinge mounting part is provided, so thathinge shafts of the hinges 85 and 86 can be fixed to the door of therefrigerator, i.e., the vacuum adiabatic body according to theembodiment. As a plurality of structures for operations of the hinge,such as a torsion spring, are built in the hinge shaft, the hinge shafthas a certain volume. Thus, the hinge mounting part having a sizecapable of accommodating the volume can be provided to the peripheralframe 90.

The supporting unit 30 for maintaining the gap of the vacuum space part50 is provided inside the vacuum space part 50. The radiation resistancesheet 32 may be provided to obtain a radiation adiabatic effect.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an alignment relationship between the sideframe and the peripheral frame.

Referring to FIG. 7, the side frame 70 is provided with the getter port41 and the exhaust port 40 as structures protruding at a predetermineddistance. A plurality of bosses 71 may be provided in an inner surfaceof the side frame 70. The peripheral frame 90 is provided withaccommodating parts (or hole, recess) 92 in which the respective ports40 and 41 can be accommodated, so that the ports 40 and 41 are placedinside the accommodating parts 92, respectively. Thus, the ports 40 and41 do not interfere with other parts. Holes 83 are provided in theperipheral frame 90 such that the holes 83 and the boss 71 are alignedwith each other. As a screw is inserted through the hole 83 and the boss71, the side frame 70 and the peripheral frame 90 can be fixed to eachother.

A lower hinge mounting part (or hinge mount or bracket) 81 and an upperhinge mounting part 82 are provided with predetermined sizes at sides ofthe peripheral frame 90, respectively. The hinge mounting parts 81 and82 are provided to have sizes and strengths, where the hinge shafts ofthe hinges 85 and 86 can be inserted and supported, respectively. Thus,the existing hinges can be applied as they are. In this case, themanufacturing method of the typical refrigerator provided by foamingpolyurethane can be applied as it is, thereby reducing manufacturingcost.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views showing a state in which a hinge is inserted. Ahinge shaft that enables an operation of each of the hinges 85 and 86 tobe performed occupies a majority of the volume of the hinge. In FIGS. 8and 9, it can be seen that the hinge shafts are inserted and fixed intothe hinge mounting parts 81 and 82, respectively. Since the peripheralframe 90 is made of resin, the peripheral frame 90 may be manufacturedin various forms according to standards of hinges.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the first plate member andthe supporting unit are fastened to each other.

Referring to FIG. 10, a rib 37 may be provided on any one surface of thesupporting unit 30, and a mounting end part (or protrusion or tab) 15may be provided to the first plate member 10 at a position correspondingto the rib 37. When the first plate member 10 is placed at the regularposition on the supporting unit 30, the rib 37 and the mounting end part15 may correspond to each other while contacting each other. Thus, thefirst plate member 10 and the supporting unit 30 can be assembled in astate in which they are fastened to each other, and it is convenient toalign the first plate member 10 and the supporting unit 30 with eachother.

Hereinafter, a vacuum pressure preferably determined depending on aninternal state of the vacuum adiabatic body. As already described above,a vacuum pressure is to be maintained inside the vacuum adiabatic bodyso as to reduce heat transfer. At this time, it will be easily expectedthat the vacuum pressure is preferably maintained as low as possible soas to reduce the heat transfer.

The vacuum space part may resist the heat transfer by applying only thesupporting unit 30. Alternatively, the porous material 33 may be filledtogether with the supporting unit in the vacuum space part 50 to resistthe heat transfer. Alternatively, the vacuum space part may resist theheat transfer not by applying the supporting unit 30 but by applying theporous material 33.

The case where only the supporting unit is applied will be described.

FIG. 11 illustrates graphs showing changes in adiabatic performance andchanges in gas conductivity with respect to vacuum pressures by applyinga simulation.

Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that, as the vacuum pressure isdecreased, i.e., as the vacuum degree is increased, a heat load in thecase of only the main body (Graph 1) or in the case where the main bodyand the door are joined together (Graph 2) is decreased as compared withthat in the case of the typical product formed by foaming polyurethane,thereby improving the adiabatic performance. However, it can be seenthat the degree of improvement of the adiabatic performance is graduallylowered. Also, it can be seen that, as the vacuum pressure is decreased,the gas conductivity (Graph 3) is decreased. However, it can be seenthat, although the vacuum pressure is decreased, the ratio at which theadiabatic performance and the gas conductivity are improved is graduallylowered. Therefore, it is preferable that the vacuum pressure isdecreased as low as possible. However, it takes long time to obtainexcessive vacuum pressure, and much cost is consumed due to excessiveuse of a getter. In the embodiment, an optimal vacuum pressure isproposed from the above-described point of view.

FIG. 12 illustrates graphs obtained by observing, over time andpressure, a process of exhausting the interior of the vacuum adiabaticbody when the supporting unit is used.

Referring to FIG. 12, in order to create the vacuum space part 50 to bein the vacuum state, a gas in the vacuum space part 50 is exhausted by avacuum pump while evaporating a latent gas remaining in the parts of thevacuum space part 50 through baking. However, if the vacuum pressurereaches a certain level or more, there exists a point at which the levelof the vacuum pressure is not increased any more (Δt1). After that, thegetter is activated by disconnecting the vacuum space part 50 from thevacuum pump and applying heat to the vacuum space part 50 (Δt2). If thegetter is activated, the pressure in the vacuum space part 50 isdecreased for a certain period of time, but then normalized to maintaina vacuum pressure of a certain level. The vacuum pressure that maintainsthe certain level after the activation of the getter is approximately1.8×10⁻⁶ Torr.

In the embodiment, a point at which the vacuum pressure is notsubstantially decreased any more even though the gas is exhausted byoperating the vacuum pump is set to the lowest limit of the vacuumpressure used in the vacuum adiabatic body, thereby setting the minimuminternal pressure of the vacuum space part 50 to 1.8×10⁻⁶ Torr.

FIG. 13 illustrates graphs obtained by comparing vacuum pressures andgas conductivities.

Referring to FIG. 13, gas conductivities with respect to vacuumpressures depending on sizes of a gap in the vacuum space part 50 arerepresented as graphs of effective heat transfer coefficients (eK).Effective heat transfer coefficients (eK) were measured when the gap inthe vacuum space part 50 has three sizes of 2.76 mm, 6.5 mm, and 12.5mm. The gap in the vacuum space part 50 is defined as follows. When theradiation resistance sheet 32 exists inside vacuum space part 50, thegap is a distance between the radiation resistance sheet 32 and theplate member adjacent thereto. When the radiation resistance sheet 32does not exist inside vacuum space part 50, the gap is a distancebetween the first and second plate members.

It can be seen that, since the size of the gap is small at a pointcorresponding to a typical effective heat transfer coefficient of 0.0196W/mK, which is provided to a adiabatic material formed by foamingpolyurethane, the vacuum pressure is 2.65×10⁻¹ Torr even when the sizeof the gap is 2.76 mm. Meanwhile, it can be seen that the point at whichreduction in adiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturatedeven though the vacuum pressure is decreased is a point at which thevacuum pressure is approximately 4.5×10⁻³ Torr. The vacuum pressure of4.5×10⁻³ Torr can be defined as the point at which the reduction inadiabatic effect caused by gas conduction heat is saturated. Also, whenthe effective heat transfer coefficient is 0.1 W/mK, the vacuum pressureis 1.2×10⁻² Torr.

When the vacuum space part 50 is not provided with the supporting unitbut provided with the porous material, the size of the gap ranges from afew micrometers to a few hundreds of micrometers. In this case, theamount of radiation heat transfer is small due to the porous materialeven when the vacuum pressure is relatively high, i.e., when the vacuumdegree is low. Therefore, an appropriate vacuum pump is used to adjustthe vacuum pressure. The vacuum pressure appropriate to thecorresponding vacuum pump is approximately 2.0×10⁻⁴ Torr. Also, thevacuum pressure at the point at which the reduction in adiabatic effectcaused by gas conduction heat is saturated is approximately 4.7×10⁻²Torr. Also, the pressure where the reduction in adiabatic effect causedby gas conduction heat reaches the typical effective heat transfercoefficient of 0.0196 W/mK is 730 Torr.

When the supporting unit and the porous material are provided togetherin the vacuum space part, a vacuum pressure may be created and used,which is middle between the vacuum pressure when only the supportingunit is used and the vacuum pressure when only the porous material isused.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a vacuum adiabatic bodyaccording to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, this embodiment may be preferably applied when thegasket 80 is directly fastened to the vacuum adiabatic body such as whenit is difficult to provide the gap part 75 according to the size andvolume of a member mounted at a peripheral portion of the vacuumadiabatic body. In this case, there may be provided a structure in whicha separate groove for mounting of the gasket 80 is formed in a fixingpart 100. When the vacuum adiabatic body available for the door isclosed with respect to the fixing part 100, the gasket 80 preferablyserves as the shielding part 62 by covering at least the conductiveresistance sheet 60.

In the case of a main body in which a storage space is formed in arefrigerator or a refrigerator equipped with a plurality of doors, thefixing part 100 may be provided as an inner door.

FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a case where a vacuumadiabatic body is applied to a door-in-door refrigerator according to anembodiment. FIG. 15a illustrates a case where typical foaming urethaneis applied, and FIG. 15b illustrates a case where the vacuum adiabaticbody is applied.

Referring to FIG. 15, the door-in-door refrigerator includes a firstdoor 300 or 301 placed at the outside thereof and a second door 200 or201 placed at the inside thereof. The typical foaming urethane isapplied to the first door 301, and hence the width in the front-reardirection, where a basket is placed, may be narrowed. On the other hand,the first door 300 of the embodiment can be manufactured as a slim door,and hence it can be expected that the width in the front-rear direction,where a basket is placed, will be widened. In order to maximize such anadvantage of the slim door, it is preferably considered that the widthof the second door 200 in the front-rear direction is provided to belong. For example, a door expanding part (or door spacer) 250 may beprovided to compensate the second door 200 for a thickness correspondingto a width decreased as the door using the typical foaming urethane isreplaced with the slim door of the embodiment. The door expanding part250 may be equipped with parts necessary for an operation thereof.Alternatively, an additional adiabatic material may be provided in thedoor expanding part 250 so as to obtain an adiabatic effect.

In the description of the present disclosure, a part for performing thesame action in each embodiment of the vacuum adiabatic body may beapplied to another embodiment by properly changing the shape ordimension of the other embodiment. Accordingly, still another embodimentcan be easily proposed. For example, in the detailed description, in thecase of a vacuum adiabatic body suitable as a door-side vacuum adiabaticbody, the vacuum adiabatic body may be applied as a main body-sidevacuum adiabatic body by properly changing the shape and configurationof a vacuum adiabatic body.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The vacuum adiabatic body proposed in the present disclosure may bepreferably applied to refrigerators. However, the application of thevacuum adiabatic body is not limited to the refrigerators, and may beapplied in various apparatuses such as cryogenic refrigeratingapparatuses, heating apparatuses, and ventilation apparatuses.

According to the present disclosure, the vacuum adiabatic body can beindustrially applied to various adiabatic apparatuses. The adiabaticeffect can be enhanced, so that it is possible to improve energy useefficiency and to increase the effective volume of an apparatus.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vacuum adiabatic body comprising: a firstplate defining at least one portion of a first side of a wall adjacentto a first space having a first temperature; a second plate defining atleast one portion of a second side of the wall adjacent to a secondspace having a second temperature different than the first temperature;a seal that seals the first plate and the second plate to provide athird space that has a third temperature between the first and secondtemperatures and is in a vacuum state; a support provided in the thirdspace to maintain a gap in the third space; a thermal insulator thatreduces heat transfer between the first plate and the second plate; anexhaust port through which a gas in the third space is ejected; a sideframe provided at a side portion of the third space, the side framedefining at least one portion of the wall adjacent the third space; anda peripheral frame fixed to the side frame, a component being mounted onthe peripheral frame, wherein the side frame contacts the third space soas to form the third space in the vacuum state, wherein the side frameincludes at least one port having a protrusion, and the peripheral frameincludes a hole that accommodates at least a portion of the protrusionof the port.
 2. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 1, whereinthe side frame includes a boss and the peripheral frame includes a holealigned with the boss so that the side frame and the peripheral frameare fastened to each other by the boss and the hole.
 3. The vacuumadiabatic body according to claim 1, wherein a gap is provided betweenthe side frame and the peripheral frame and a gasket is mounted at thegap.
 4. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 3, wherein thethermal insulator includes at least one conductive resistance sheetprovided to extend from an end of the first plate and an end of thesecond plate, the at least one conductive resistance sheet having athickness that is less than each of the first and second plates and hasat least one portion provided as a curved surface, and configured toreduce conduction of heat along the wall adjacent to the third space,and wherein the gasket is provided to cover the conductive resistancesheet.
 5. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 1, wherein theperipheral frame includes a hinge mount that supports a hinge shaftcoupled to the peripheral frame.
 6. The vacuum adiabatic body accordingto claim 1, comprising: a rib provided on the support; and a protrusionprovided on each of the first and second plates and configured to couplewith the rib.
 7. The vacuum adiabatic body according to claim 1, whereinthe third space is a vacuum space that extends up to an edge portion ofthe vacuum adiabatic body.
 8. The vacuum adiabatic body according toclaim 7, wherein the side frame is provided adjacent to the second plateto form a portion of the vacuum space, wherein a gap of the vacuum spaceat the side frame is narrower than a gap of the vacuum space between thefirst and second plates in order to secure a predetermined spaceaccommodating the component mounted on the peripheral frame.
 9. Thevacuum adiabatic body according to claim 1, wherein the componentincludes a hinge shaft, and the hinge shaft is mounted at the peripheralframe.
 10. A refrigerator comprising: a main body provided with aninternal space to accommodate storage goods; and a door provided to openand close the main body from an external space, wherein, in order tosupply a refrigerant into the internal space, the refrigerator includes:a compressor that compresses the refrigerant; a condenser that condensesthe compressed refrigerant; an expander that expands the condensedrefrigerant; and an evaporator that evaporates the expanded refrigerantto take heat, wherein at least one of the main body or the door includesa vacuum adiabatic body, wherein the vacuum adiabatic body includes: afirst plate defining at least one portion of a first side of a walladjacent to the internal space having a first temperature; a secondplate defining at least one portion of a second side of the walladjacent to the external space having a second temperature differentthan the first temperature; a seal that seals the first plate and thesecond plate to provide a vacuum space that has a third temperaturebetween the first temperature of the internal space and the secondtemperature of the external space and is in a vacuum state; a supportprovided in the vacuum space to maintain a gap in the vacuum space; athermal insulator that reduces heat transfer between the first plate andthe second plate; an exhaust port through which a gas in the vacuumspace is ejected; and a peripheral frame made of a resin material, theperipheral frame being mounted at an outer peripheral portion of thevacuum space, wherein a component is mounted on the peripheral frame,wherein the first side of the wall faces the second side of the wall,and wherein the peripheral frame is disposed on the first side of thewall, wherein the component includes a hinge shaft.
 11. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 10, wherein the thermal insulator includes at leastone conductive resistance sheet having a thickness less than each of thefirst and second plates and having at least one portion provided as acurved surface, and configured to reduce conduction heat along the walladjacent to the vacuum space, and a gasket fixed to the main body isprovided to cover the conductive resistance sheet.
 12. A refrigeratorcomprising: a main body provided with an internal space to accommodatestorage goods; and a door provided to open and close the main body froman external space, wherein, in order to supply a refrigerant into theinternal space, the refrigerator includes: a compressor that compressesthe refrigerant; a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant;an expander that expands the condensed refrigerant; and an evaporatorthat evaporates the expanded refrigerant to take heat, wherein at leastone of the main body or the door includes a vacuum adiabatic body,wherein the vacuum adiabatic body includes: a first plate defining atleast one portion of a first side of a wall adjacent to the internalspace having a first temperature; a second plate defining at least oneportion of a second side of the wall adjacent to the external spacehaving a second temperature different than the first temperature; a sealthat seals the first plate and the second plate to provide a vacuumspace that has a third temperature between the first temperature of theinternal space and the second temperature of the external space and isin a vacuum state; a support provided in the vacuum space to maintain agap in the vacuum space; a thermal insulator that reduces heat transferbetween the first plate and the second plate; an exhaust port throughwhich a gas in the vacuum space is ejected; a peripheral frame made of aresin material, the peripheral frame being mounted at an outerperipheral portion of the vacuum space, wherein a component is mountedon the peripheral frame, wherein the first side of the wall faces thesecond side of the wall, and wherein the peripheral frame is disposed onthe first side of the wall; and a side frame made of a metallicmaterial, the side frame being fastened to the peripheral frame andprovided to form at least a portion of an outer wall adjacent to thevacuum space.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein theside frame includes at least one port having a protruding portion, andthe peripheral frame includes a recess that accommodates the protrudingportion of the port.